Washington Senate Approves Medical School Bill

The morning after a late-night approval from the House, the Washington Senate approved its medical school bill by a vote of 45-4.

The action by the House and Senate changed a 1917 law that restricted medical education to the University of Washington. The two chambers will now decide which bill to move to Governor Inslee for his signature.

The bills change the law but don’t have any budgetary requests attached to them. WSU is, however, asking the legislature for $2.5 million to work through the accreditation process. Budget discussions are ongoing in Olympia and the legislature is scheduled to conclude its session on April 26, barring any need for a special session.

Technically, and by law, the legislature must have a budget by June 30, the end of the fiscal year.

This news is big step in our pursuit of a medical school in Spokane. WSU’s community-based model would allow for more of our state’s students to attend medical school closer to home, and will allow for those in rural and underserved areas the chance to practice where they grew up. WSU’s admissions process will actively recruit from rural and underserved areas.

As always, learn more at medicine.wsu.edu.